Compressible and expandable blade for a fluid pump

Abstract

The invention relates to a compressible and expandable blade for the rotor of a fluid pump having at least two lamellae which are disposed adjacently, are pivotable respectively relative to an axis of rotation of the rotor and moveable relative to each other, and abut against each other in the expanded state of the blade such that they form together a continuous blade surface.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A compressible and expandable blade for the rotor of a fluid pump, comprising:
 at least two individual rotor segments, each individual rotor segment having at least one lamellae disposed thereon, wherein when a first individual rotor segment is attached to a second individual rotor segment, at least two lamellae which are disposed adjacently, are pivotable respectively relative to an axis of rotation of the rotor and moveable relative to each other, and abut against each other in the expanded state such that they form together a continuous blade surface. 
 
     
     
       2. The blade according to  claim 1 , wherein at least two lamellae, in particular each of the lamellae, have a dimensionally stable, rigid configuration. 
     
     
       3. The blade according to  claim 2 , wherein respectively adjacent lamellae abut against each other to form a seal along a longitudinal side which extends at least partially radially relative to the rotor axis of rotation. 
     
     
       4. The blade according to  claim 3 , wherein respectively adjacent lamellae which are mutually directly adjacent abut against each other in such a manner that they are not pivotable relative to each other about the rotor axis of rotation in at least one direction. 
     
     
       5. The blade according to  claim 4 , wherein respectively adjacent lamellae mutually overlap in the region of the longitudinal side. 
     
     
       6. The blade according to  claim 4 , wherein respectively adjacent lamellae engage one in the other in the region of the longitudinal side. 
     
     
       7. The blade according to  claim 1 , wherein respectively adjacent lamellae are connected to each other by a flexible element, in particular a strip or a membrane. 
     
     
       8. The blade according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the lamellae has a stiffening structure in cross-section. 
     
     
       9. The blade according to  claim 8 , wherein at least one lamellae, on its outer side, has at least one stiffening web extending in its longitudinal direction. 
     
     
       10. The blade according to  claim 8 , wherein at least one lamellae has a hollow configuration in cross-section. 
     
     
       11. The blade according to  claim 10 , wherein at least one lamellae has a convex shape, in cross-section, on one of the longitudinal sides thereof and a concave shape on the other longitudinal side. 
     
     
       12. The blade according to  claim 1 , wherein at least two lamellae are connected to each other by a burr-like connection. 
     
     
       13. The blade according to  claim 12 , wherein the connection is detachable by applying a load on the blade in the axial direction of the rotor. 
     
     
       14. The blade according to  claim 12 , wherein the connection is detachable by the relative movement of two adjacent lamellae along their respective longitudinal sides and in the longitudinal direction of the lamellae. 
     
     
       15. The blade according to  claim 12 , wherein the at least one lamella and also the hub segment of the rotor segment are in one part. 
     
     
       16. The blade according to  claim 15 , wherein respectively two adjacently-situated rotor segments are connected to each other non-rotatably in a form fit. 
     
     
       17. The blade according to  claim 16 , wherein one rotor segment has one, two or more lamellae. 
     
     
       18. A compressible and expandable blade for the rotor of a fluid pump, comprising:
 at least two individual rotor segments, each individual rotor segment having at least one lamellae disposed thereon, wherein when a first individual rotor segment is attached to a second individual rotor segment, at least two lamellae which are disposed adjacently, are pivotable respectively relative to an axis of rotation of the rotor and moveable relative to each other, and abut against each other in the expanded state such that they form together a continuous blade surface, wherein individual rotor segments with connection webs disposed between hub segments can be worked out of a flat material and can be disposed on a rotor shaft by folding the flat material out of a surface plane in such a manner that a helix shape of the blade is produced. 
 
     
     
       19. The blade according to  claim 18 , wherein a plurality of lamellae are part of one lamella body, these being connected to each other only in their foot region. 
     
     
       20. The blade according to  claim 18 , wherein the lamella basic body can be introduced into a hub body such that, in the unloaded state of the radially outer tips of the lamellae, a helix shape of the blade is formed. 
     
     
       21. The blade according to  claim 20 , wherein the lamellae are respectively coated and/or covered with a membrane, a connection of the coating/membrane of two adjacent lamellae being frictional and/or form-locking. 
     
     
       22. The blade according to  claim 21 , wherein, on the flow pressure side, the proximal region of the distal lamella covers the distal region of the proximal lamella. 
     
     
       23. The blade according to  claim 22 , wherein application of the lamellae in a compressed state is possible essentially in a serial manner, beginning with the most proximal lamella. 
     
     
       24. A catheter pump for introduction into human vessels, in particular for intraventricular use, comprising a rotor with a blade being able to be disposed in a mammalian vessel, wherein the pump has a conveying direction for conveying body fluid and the blade hereby has a flow pressure side and a flow suction side, wherein the pump also comprises at least two individual rotor segments, each individual rotor segment having at least one lamellae disposed thereon, wherein when a first individual rotor segment is attached to a second individual rotor segment, at least two lamellae which are disposed adjacently, are pivotable respectively relative to an axis of rotation of the rotor and moveable relative to each other, and abut against each other in the expanded state such that they form together a continuous blade surface.